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A deadly bridge collapse in Minnesota that hurled rush-hour traffic into the Mississippi River instantly thrust bridge inspections into the national spotlight.

The tragedy prompted state and local officials to take a harder look at the aging spans crossing rivers and railroads in their own communities and rural areas.

According to the 2011 National Bridge Inventory, 26 bridges in Fond du Lac County have been listed as structurally deficient. Of those bridges - some of them as old as 92 years - nine have been designated as requiring a high priority of corrective action. ...